Audi Brussels has confirmed that there are no plans to produce any Volkswagen Group car models at its Forest site in the coming years. Finding a buyer for the plant may therefore be the only way to avoid closure and the loss of thousands of jobs.
Unions said they learned the unexpected news in an extraordinary workers' council meeting on Tuesday. "This is very unfortunate; it is a turn of events we had not anticipated," said FGTB union representative Pascal Debrulle.
Unions noted that Audi Brussels has left open the possibility of "alternative projects," details of which need to be clarified at the next extraordinary workers' meeting on 17 September.
"We were hoping for the assignment of a new model, but it isn't happening," said Debrulle. He added that even if some of the alternative proposals put on the table by Audi Brussels go ahead, they may only be able to save 200 to 300 jobs.
There is the slight hope of a takeover by a Chinese car manufacturer, a proposal that has been circulating in recent weeks. Debrulle said this could potentially save more jobs.
Unions are hoping to receive "detailed information" about alternative projects for the plant at the 17 September meeting, as well as an overview of potential buyers.
The Q8 e-tron on the production line in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Dirk Waem
In July, Audi Brussels officially announced plans to restructure the site in Forest, which currently employs more than 3,000 people. The company cited a slowdown in demand for the electric Q8 e-tron models produced in Brussels, as well as "long-standing structural challenges" with the site.
If no buyer is found and the Audi Brussels plant closes, around 1,500 jobs could be lost as soon as October, with over 1,100 additional redundancies next year. The final layoffs could happen at the end of 2025.
In other developments, Audi Brussels announced the departure of CEO Volker Germann, who will step down on 15 September. His successor, Thomas Bogus, will assume the role from that date.
The gradual resumption of production, scheduled for Wednesday, will likely be disrupted. Audi Brussels had envisaged resuming operations this week with two teams producing 15 cars per hour.
Unions have not ruled out spontaneous industrial action, with Debrulle saying that he does not think "workers will accept these conditions".
